My Racketholism Cure... well sort of...for now anyway...

Well, after trying many, many, many racquets during the past few years, I think my addiction it is over. I have traded and bought numerous racquets with the full confidence that my BB London's were my 'main' racquets and the rest were just to try and for fun. Besides, my arm is terrible and can't handle much else for too long anyway. Everyone I play with thinks I am nuts for doing that, but oh well.

So what is it? What is the racquet that has stopped my need to try everything out there?

It is the Pro Kennex Ki 5. It has been about 3 weeks and I do not want to try anything else. Okay I lied, I want to try a few more in the PK line, but that is it. I am simply crushing the ball, literally crushing the ball. Today, either me or my partner actually broke a ball, a first. This sweet stick is so easy on the arm and I am hitting with confidence. I have let others try it and they see nothing special about it, but I am impressed. The only fault I can find is that it may be a tad clunky.

The Ki5 is the only frame that stays in my bag regardless of what else i tinker with. No bells or whistles here, just a nice comfy low powered frame that is a good all around racquet. What I struggle with is the technology that enables the frame to be so arm friendly is also the same technology that keeps it muted, to an extent that sometimes I feel like it plays a little "dead" for me. Ironically, everytime I take some time away from it, I often rediscover it, use it for a couple of months and then try someting else with the hope of the same comfort with better feel. the BB melbourne is providing that for me now and as long as I use a soft string it has fit the bill. KI5 is my all time 2nd favorite frame and will remain in my bag because it is an easy to use players frame that I can always rely on if iam not happy with my current stick.

The Ki5 is the only frame that stays in my bag regardless of what else i tinker with. No bells or whistles here, just a nice comfy low powered frame that is a good all around racquet. What I struggle with is the technology that enables the frame to be so arm friendly is also the same technology that keeps it muted, to an extent that sometimes I feel like it plays a little "dead" for me. Ironically, everytime I take some time away from it, I often rediscover it, use it for a couple of months and then try someting else with the hope of the same comfort with better feel. the BB melbourne is providing that for me now and as long as I use a soft string it has fit the bill. KI5 is my all time 2nd favorite frame and will remain in my bag because it is an easy to use players frame that I can always rely on if iam not happy with my current stick.

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I feel about the same. The KI5 is a supremely comfortable frame that hits a good ball but has a dead feel. I'd love to try it with full gut to see if the extra dwell time increases the feel. (Alas, gut experiments are just too costly!)

For you guys who find the Ki 5 dead, I suggest you try putting about 4-6 grams of lead on the top of the frame (12 o'clock). I did that on my Ki 5x. I'm convinced this frame is too depolarized (stock weight is in the 3 and 9 positions). That's why you see such good numbers on twistweight:

I actually don't find it that low powered, maybe I am swinging with more confidence though. I am actually hitting harder with this than any other I have tried in recent memory. I am also able to pull the trigger and hit a winner with this. As for the feel, that is true for me as well. I think I like muted racquets though. I think I will get that feel with some time and tinkering. It is the only stick I have used were my arm feels better after playing.

I actually don't find it that low powered, maybe I am swinging with more confidence though. I am actually hitting harder with this than any other I have tried in recent memory. I am also able to pull the trigger and hit a winner with this. As for the feel, that is true for me as well. I think I like muted racquets though. I think I will get that feel with some time and tinkering. It is the only stick I have used were my arm feels better after playing.

I am also interested in this frame. I was playing with Youtek PrEstige MP lately. I kinnda feel it's too low powered and too demanding for a recreational player. I also tried Youtek Radical MP and it has a lot more power but it's kinnda hard to control some shots. Some shots just fly for no reason. What can I expect from ProKennex KI5. Is this more powerful and forgiving than Prestige and what kind of ball does it hit? I am a little skeptical about the manufacturer cause we all know it's not one of the big guys like Head, Wilson, Prince etc.

I am also interested in this frame. I was playing with Youtek PrEstige MP lately. I kinnda feel it's too low powered and too demanding for a recreational player. I also tried Youtek Radical MP and it has a lot more power but it's kinnda hard to control some shots. Some shots just fly for no reason. What can I expect from ProKennex KI5. Is this more powerful and forgiving than Prestige and what kind of ball does it hit? I am a little skeptical about the manufacturer cause we all know it's not one of the big guys like Head, Wilson, Prince etc.

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Pro Kennex has been around for a long time. They were making graphite frames at a time when most of the big names (Wilson and Head included) were still making them out of wood and metal and had not entered the graphite market yet. Babolat was only making strings at the time. Pro Kennex made racquets for other manufacturers at one time...don't know if they still do or not. They are one of the early pioneers of graphite racquet technology.

I've hit with the Prestige MP. The Ki 5 is more powerful. I thought the Prestige felt dead, but the Ki 5 has a lively feel that I like. I find it more forgiving than the Prestige. I never hit with the Radical. The Ki 5 is a control-oriented player's stick with a little extra pop and very friendly on the arm. With many of today's modern racquets, I have a problem keeping the ball inside the baseline, but I don't have that problem with the Ki 5. I currently play with the Ki 5x (extended version), but I think the Ki 5 is probably better suited for most players because of the maneuverability. I experimented with lead tape, and I like it with 6 grams at 12 o'clock.

What about that clunky sound feel. I just read it feels like it has sand in the racquet. What about the sound of the racquet. Don+t wanna feel like I am playing a rattle on the court How does it sound and feel?

What about that clunky sound feel. I just read it feels like it has sand in the racquet. What about the sound of the racquet. Don+t wanna feel like I am playing a rattle on the court How does it sound and feel?

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Oddly enough hit with a Prestige Pro the other day. It is a great racquet, I really like it. I find the Prestige to be more maneuverable and it is pretty precise. As for the name brand thing, those companies you listed before spend more money on marketing and in my opinion, that does not make them better. I have used many of the less marketed brands like Pacific, Volkl/Becker, Donnay, etc. and they are all quality frames. With consumer electronics I would definitely be skeptical of a Sorny or a Phansonsic, but ProKennex like the others I have mentioned is a solid brand.

The sand(lead micro-bearings) does not bother me personally. During hitting I don't notice them. When I am bouncing a ball on the ground I do hear it, but that is it.

The sand(lead micro-bearings) does not bother me personally. During hitting I don't notice them. When I am bouncing a ball on the ground I do hear it, but that is it.

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You must have excellent hearing. My hearing is supposed to be good also, but the only time I hear the micro-bearings is when I'm shaking the racquet in a quiet room or when I hold it up to my ear. During a match, I'm unaware of the sound.

Is PK kI5 more or less demanding frame than Prestige? Does it swing lighter or heavier? How heavy ball can you hit with PK Ki5. I am really considering getting this frame cause the price is good etc but don+t want to buy it and see it's not ok.

And I now really don't know what to get. Pro Kennex or Wilson BLX Blade 98 which everybody speak great things about.

Is PK kI5 more or less demanding frame than Prestige? Does it swing lighter or heavier? How heavy ball can you hit with PK Ki5. I am really considering getting this frame cause the price is good etc but don+t want to buy it and see it's not ok.

And I now really don't know what to get. Pro Kennex or Wilson BLX Blade 98 which everybody speak great things about.

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Pro Kennex has an interesting claim that their Kinetic technology is not only patented, it's the only one out there validated by science because the ITF required tests to be ran on it to see if it's legal. This guy explains it:

I know it's hype, but I can testify that it did cure my tennis elbow after I switched from my APDGT. For me, it's less demanding than most player's sticks of similar specs because of the extra pop you get from it and the big sweet spot relative to similar racquets.

However, you need to try it for yourself. If you can't find a demo in your area, TW can ship you demos for $5 each and they provide you with a box to return them after a week. I tried it, and it's convenient and well worth it. While you're at it, you can demo the BLX Blade 98 also and put your mind to rest.

You must have excellent hearing. My hearing is supposed to be good also, but the only time I hear the micro-bearings is when I'm shaking the racquet in a quiet room or when I hold it up to my ear. During a match, I'm unaware of the sound.

you'll be back!! I'm sorry there is no clear cure for this and I have been there. The BB london feel will have you back soon with a different string set up, that's all it takes

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I think I have left London for a while at least. I will never, ever get rid of them because they are just special frames. I could play consistently and pretty well with them, but putting away shots and hitting big serves was always not quite there.

I now committed to the Ki5 and will not wander, probably. I have no interest in trying anything else, most likely.

I've a kind of racket addiction as well, light compare to other members of this forum, I do not mess with my mains, made a switch some years ago and still happily using them, when playing some amateur league game, my main feels home to me.

I usually buy old rackets, 2 or 3 per year, and just specific models, i will never play them as main, but for example me and some friends we have fun hitting with the adidas of Lendl, or with F200, or the wood ones.
Winning games is nice, but fun is also doing something you enjoy without the necessity of a victory, and for me hitting with old rackets is fun, will i give up to buy old rackets, I do not know, maybe, anyhow for me my addiction is not a bad thing.

Pro Kennex has an interesting claim that their Kinetic technology is not only patented, it's the only one out there validated by science because the ITF required tests to be ran on it to see if it's legal. This guy explains it:

I know it's hype, but I can testify that it did cure my tennis elbow after I switched from my APDGT.

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I honestly don't think it's hype at all. PK's Kinetic system is a valid technology that does what it says (as you've experienced yourself). How much difference did Basalt or Microgel make to people's games?

Pro Kennex has an interesting claim that their Kinetic technology is not only patented, it's the only one out there validated by science because the ITF required tests to be ran on it to see if it's legal. This guy explains it:

I know it's hype, but I can testify that it did cure my tennis elbow after I switched from my APDGT. For me, it's less demanding than most player's sticks of similar specs because of the extra pop you get from it and the big sweet spot relative to similar racquets.

However, you need to try it for yourself. If you can't find a demo in your area, TW can ship you demos for $5 each and they provide you with a box to return them after a week. I tried it, and it's convenient and well worth it. While you're at it, you can demo the BLX Blade 98 also and put your mind to rest.

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I agree 100% with Ramon. My Ki5 felt a bit lifeless in th eupper hoop so I added 2g of lead and voila, a much improved response. I might double that up to 4g. The Ki5 is an unsung hero in the racket world. It's mot flashy or new, just a solid all round frame that above all protects the user against elbow pain.

Hate to tell you but CCM is right--you've got the bug and sooner or later you'll say, "You know, that new (substitute raquet mfg. here) looks interesting; I think I'll give it a try." As Seinfeld says though, "Not that there's anything wrong with that."